The National tribune., 1887-01-06
A NEW "BOME."
Provision for Disabled and
Needy Soldiers.

On Dec 30 the new Soldiers Home at Grand
Rapids, Mich, was dedicated. The Home was
created by Act No. 1872 Session Laws Of ISIS,
Legislature of Michigan. The provisions of
this act very catholic in scope. as by section
ii not only all Michigan soldiers but all ex-
soldiers who were residents Of Michigan for one
year prior TO the passage Of the act are eligible
for admission TO the Home. The act was APP
proved by Gov. Russell A. Alger June 10, 1855;
aud in connection with this act there is an in
teresting incident
Comrade John Northwood, now Department
Commander, GAR, of Michigan, was in the
Legislature at the time and was the intrOducer
of the bill. After considerable opposition the
bill had passed both Houses, and Northwood
was anxious 10 clinch the results by having 1T
approved and deposited in the office of the Sec
rotary of State. To this end he made the Chief
Engrossing and Enrolling Clerk take his seat,
and while the clerk wrote, NorthwOod read
from the text, and that clerk did more rapid
writing then than he had ever done before
The bill engroSsed, report was made at once,
and Northwood went with the bill to the Gov
ernor's office.
Gov. Alger." said Northwood, al would
like TO have you take a new pen and holder
when you sign that bill, and then i want that
pen and holder to take home with me-"
The soldier Governor goOd-naturedly COM
piled with the request, and now Comrade
NorthwoOd has that historical pen and histori-
cal holder in his possession.
The Governor appointed as Board of Mana
gers: For six years, Aaron L. Bliss, of Saginaw,
Samuel Wells, of Buchanan. For four years,
Byron r. Pierce, of Grand Rapids; Royal A.
Remick, Of Detroit. For two years, Michael
Brown, of Big Rapids; Charles Y. 0sburn, of
Marquette.
The matter of locating a site came up next,
and offers for a donation were received from
Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Saginaw, st. Joseph,
Benton Harbor, Big Rapids, Holland, Bay
Springs, Owosso, Petoskey, Battle Creek, Port
Huron, Wyandotte, Pontiac, Brooklyn, Grand
Ledge Cassopolis, Mt Clemens, and Allegan.
After a thorough view of these places Grand
Rapids was chosen, and a temporary Home was
opened until such time as the permanent
building should be finished. Col. Samuel
Wells was appointed Manager of the Home, and
Maj. James W. Long Secretary and Adjutant.
During the time the temporary Home has
been running 45l disabled veterans have been
cared for, and many cases of physical prostra-
ton have been relieved or cured under the
skilled practice OF Drs. r. III. Stevens and j. Ii.
Griswold. Now that the building is completed
there is a large family TO occupy it.
The new Soldiers Home building is situated
on the Grand River, three miles north from the
business center of the city of Grand Rapids, in
Kent County, Mich. The building is 255 feet
front, with two wings each ll2 feet deep. The
central portion will be 95 feet deep, four stories
high, and the building will accommodate 400
inmates with comfort and $50 to 500 can be
taken care of in case of necessity. On entering
the building the first object is the splendid
vestibule while directly in front and across the
main corridor is the finely finished library aud
reading room. To the right the main corridor
leads past the general business offices on the
right and a set of parlors on the left TO the
largest dining room in the State of Michigan,
while in the rear of this are the serving rooms
dividing the dining-room from a large and
commodious kitchen, furnished with an i'm
mense Van range complete.
Returning TO the central yestibule we take
our way TO the northern wing. On the left are
the parlOrs, on the right the billiard and card
rooms and finally TO the left, occupying the
northwestern corner, we enter the Command
ants elegant quarters. To the east we step
over the tesselated floor aud past the dispensary
we find the quarters of one of the officers of
the Home.
The second story is reached by any one of
four different flights Of stairs OF passenger ele-
vator, and this is devoted to dornitories, with
the exception Of one of the neatest little thea
tiers or lecture rooms in the country which ex-
tends into the third story.
Throughout the whole building are layato-
ries, water-clOsets, and the heating is done by
steam. In the basement is a complete laundry
with the most modern machinery. furnished by
the Troy Laundry Co., of Chicago.
F.W. Hollister, of Saginaw, is the architect of
the building. Charles Tiedke, Of the same place,
is the builder and contractor. The cost is &c.,
667.57. 1t is beautiful structure, honestly
built, handsomely finished in natural woods, all
grown in Michigan.
The dedicatory exercises attracted large
crowd, for Michigan is proud of her soldier
boys, and is coming in force to sec how they are
to be cared for.
The dedlcatory program was as follows:
His Excellency, Russell A. Alger, Gov
ernor of Michigan, presiding. Music; prayer,
Rev. Washington Gardner; presentation of
the building TO the State by the con-
tractor, Charles Tiedke; turning over the
building TO Hon. John Northwood, Depart
ment Commander, for dedication, Gov. r. A.
hger; ritualistic dedication, by Hon. John
Northwood, Department Commander. GAR,
Department of Michigan; dedicatory address,
Gov. Il. A. Alger; music; addresses by Cow
elect Cyrus q. Luce, Hon. Lucius Fairchild
Commander-in-Chief,G Grand Army of the Re-
public; Hon. b. NJ. Cuteheon, and other invited
guests; music; benediction; tattoo.
The Home is differed as follows: Col Sam.
uel Wells Manager; Maj. James w. Long, Sec
rotary and Adjutant; DIR. Il. IL Stevens, Acting
Surgeon.